Low US natural gas prices stir hedging talk

The Nymex prompt-month Henry Hub futures contract settled at $2.324 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) on Friday, a rebound from the day before, when it closed at $2.272/MMBtu, a settlement price not seen since 2002.

Still, according to market participants, utilities and other end-users remain reluctant to hedge because forward prices are not as favourable. Henry Hub futures expiring in April 2013 settled at $3.350/MMBtu on Friday, while those expiring in April 2014 settled at $3.773/MMBt